November 1 – Sainthood

“Ye that love the Lord, hate evil:
he preserveth the souls of his saints:
he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 97:10

All Saints’ Day was first celebrated in 610 A.D. as the Feast of All Holy Martyrs when Emperor Phocas gave the ancient Roman temple of the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV as a church. Gradually the feast was extended to commemorate all saints, in addition to those who had given their lives to keep the faith alive after Christ’s ascension.

John Wesley wrote in his journal: “November 1st was a day of triumphant joy, as All Saints’ Day generally is. How superstitious are they who scruple giving God solemn thanks for the lives and deaths of his saints!”

The Apostle Paul introduced his letter to the Corinthians this way, “To them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be SAINTS, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord…

You also are called to sainthood . . . not the stereotyped image of a stoic statue with a halo, but a living, breathing example of a child of God sold out to Jesus Christ and His plans and purposes for the earth today! Start with a renewed sense of sainthood; live your life with a passion to serve your Lord!

PRAY: “Father, I thank You for the exemplary lifestyles of Your saints of ages past. Help me to live a holy life, alive with vision for what You are doing in this generation. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”